Elevated expression of integrin αv and β5 subunit in laryngeal squamous-cell carcinoma associated with lymphatic metastasis and angiogenesis.

In the past several years, the αv integrin subfamily has been repeatedly found to be involved in tumor progression and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of the integrin αv subfamily in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), and to correlate the expression rate with tumor biological behavior and angiogenesis of the LSCC. The integrin αv subfamily, including αv, β1, β3, β5, β6 and β8 subunits, was immunohistochemically found to be expressed in 64 patients with LSCC, and we analyzed the relationship between the expression rate and the clinicopathological stage of this cancer. Immunohistochemical staining for CD105 was carried out in the same group of the patients. The intratumoral microvessel density (IMVD) of the LSCC was calculated by CD105 staining, and the correlation between the IMVD and αv subfamily expression was discussed. The results showed that all members of the integrin αv subfamily could be detected in the LSCC. The expression rate of integrin αv and β5 subunits in primary cancer was significantly higher than in normal tissue, and their expression rate in the group with lymphatic metastasis was significantly higher than in the group without metastasis. The IMVD of the group with positive expression of αv and β5 subunits was significantly higher than in the group with negative expression, but there were no significant effects on the β1, β3, β6 and β8 subunits in these biological processes. In conclusion, the expressions of integrin αv and β5 subunits were significantly associated with lymphatic metastasis and angiogenesis of the LSCC. Among the members of integrin αv subfamily, integrin αvβ5 might play an important role in invasion and metastases of the LSCC, and it may become a valuable marker for the evolution of the LSCC.